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Energy and Environment

As a PhD scientist, I utilize my expertise to make thoughtful policy decisions on issues related to the energy and environment. We know that climate change is real and largely man-made. While some politicians claim it’s a hoax, most experts believe we will begin to see very significant economic, political, and social consequences from climate change if we do not act now. I support sound economic policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our environment for the next generation.

Thanks to decades of federally funded research, we have made great progress towards energy independence. The growth and development of our modern economy during the last century raised our standard of living, but has also led to new challenges and environmental threats. It is our responsibility to develop a comprehensive response to address our dependence on fossil fuels, promote sustainable energy use, and invest in new energy technologies. Research at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois leads the way in the kind of innovation we need to make energy more efficient. These projects will help make batteries (including the ones we use in hybrid cars) more cost effective and more powerful.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) led a letter to the Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inquiring about the actions the FDA has taken, or plans to take, to examine and evaluate alternatives to ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization methods in the United States. The letter was signed by all 13 Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced H.R. 7189, the Expanding Transparency of Information and Safeguarding Toxics (EtO is Toxic) Act of 2018. The legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) and its National Air Toxic Assessment (NATA) assessments in the Federal Registry where it would be accessible to state and local health agencies, other federal agencies, and international health organizations.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the release of the National Climate Assessment on the potential consequences of climate change on the United States. The National Climate Assessment is a report issued by 13 federal agencies and is mandated by Congress every four years to study the effects of climate change in the United States. This report estimated that climate change could reduce growth domestic product by ten percent by the year 2100.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Steven Knight (R-CA) announced that the bipartisan Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act was signed into law last week. The legislation authorizes $45 million to support the creation of three public-private partnership projects to develop energy storage technology that is commercially viable and can adequately support the electrical grid.

WASHINGTON, DC – “Scott Pruitt’s resignation is long overdue. He not only deliberately reversed years of environmental regulations and climate change research, he also wildly misused taxpayer money for unnecessary and wasteful purchases. Every member of the Trump administration, including the President, should take their job seriously and advance the long-term interests of the American people instead of business interests or personal comfort.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Steven Knight (R-CA) introduced H.R. 5610, the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act. The legislation would authorize $45 million to support the creation of three public-private partnership projects to develop energy storage technology that is commercially viable and can adequately support the electrical grid. The BEST Act would direct the Secretary of Energy to establish aggressive “moonshot” goals to develop improved capacity and lower costs for grid-scale storage.